Meteorological literature

Abstract

Like theory of TCM,the meteorological literature,a type of literary genre with distinct Chinese characteristics,is also based on theory of qi in ancient Chinese philosophy and is branded with ancient Chinese outlook on and mode of thinking. With awakening of subject consciousness in Wei-Jin Period,the Chinese people's world view shifted from the unity of man and nature to man's mission to conquer This led to corresponding changes in literature:in literary themes,the focus shifted from weather phenomena to season phenomena; in genres and styles,the confinement to mythologies and allegories was replaced by an explosion of new literary forms including poems,songs and odes. Facing challenges from modern university education system and advocacy of science,modern Chinese scholars like Zhang Junli and Liang Qichao launched a campaign to define science and people's world view,trying to protect arts and religion from being conquered by science. Despite their great efforts,they were finally defeated. Consequently,the creation of and studies on meteorological literature are deprived of spiritual contents; what has been left is only form and skills. Today,Chinese modern literature is increasingly narrow in its vision due to an overemphasis on relationship between man and society and relationship between man and himself. To rise above this narrowness depends on recourse to Chinese ancient meteorological literary tradition which is characterized by its focus on relationship between man and nature. Therefore,to strengthen studies on meteorological literature also constitutes a necessary step to carry forward Chinese traditional culture.